Notify me
2018 Etna Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Masseria del PinoFederica Turillo and Cesare Fulvio practice their craft in an ancient stone farmhouse (palmento) at 800 meters above sea level in the middle of their vines, making wines by hand (and feet!) just as farmers on Etna did hundreds of years ago. No pumps, cultured yeast, filters, or other modern technology here; a small collection of used barrels and a little hand-operated basket press are the most sophisticated pieces of equipment to be found in their cellar. Their 2018 rosso shows a softer side of Etna, with all the volcano’s wild aromatics but none of the edgy tannins or high alcohol—perfect for serving slightly chilled with pizza or grilled tuna.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2018 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 90% Nerello Mascalese, 10% Nerello Cappuccio |
Appellation: | Etna Rosso |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Sicily |
Producer: | Masseria del Pino |
Winemaker: | Federica Turillo and Cesare Fulvio |
Vineyard: | 1.7 ha total, 120 years |
Soil: | Volcanic |
Aging: | Wine is aged in 500L, old, oak barrels for 15 months |
Farming: | Biodynamic (practicing) |
Alcohol: | 12% |
More from this Producer or Region
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Italy | Sicily
A profound red wine full of depth, liveliness, and old-school, rustic character; the intensely gripping, ashy-fine tannin is a trademark of wines from Contrada Pino.
2019 Terre Siciliane Grenache “Vigna degli Architetti”
Italy | Sicily
Grottafumata’s first release from the “Vigna degli Architetti” delivers deep, ripe fruit with elegance and grace.
2020 Vino Rosato “SuperLuna”
Italy | Sicily
A rosé made via ancient methods from ashy soils high on Mount Etna.
2022 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Italy | Sicily
Delicate, stimulating, and completely dry—it’s a ravishing aperitivo, but works with anything from the ocean.
2020 Vittoria Frappato
| Sicily
The wine builds to a crescendo and leaves the palate stained and saturated with staying power. This is much more than quaffing Frappato. Irresistible.
2022 Olio Extravergine di Oliva Biologica
Italy | Sicily
One of Sicily’s most coveted oils, perfumed with bright citrus, dried fruit, and herbs.
2020 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Spaccaforno”
Italy | Sicily
April Club Rouge ~ The Padova family’s Spaccaforno is generous but not heavy, with suggestions of blackberry, licorice, and spice leading to a lively, chalky finish.
2020 Vino Bianco “Caravan Petrol”
Italy | Sicily
An out-of-this-world, but wholly down-to-earth skin-contact white. You’ve never had anything like this before!
2020 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Italy | Sicily
Delicate, stimulating, and completely dry—it’s a ravishing aperitivo, but works with anything from the ocean.
2021 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Italy | Sicily
This red’s satiny texture allows it to gloss over the palate with utter delicacy, while suggestions of smoke, white pepper, and brandied cherries linger after each sip.
About The Producer
Masseria del Pino
Driving down the dusty road to Masseria del Pino, Cesare Fulvio and Federica Turillo’s little farm upslope from Randazzo, it is hard to tell which century we are living in. This is Etna in all its pastoral serenity, with only the sights, scents, and sounds of the mountain to stimulate the senses.
This simple, peaceful lifestyle is precisely what the couple envisioned when they settled here in 2005. Catania natives, they left their jobs—Cesare as a commercial air pilot, Federica as an archery instructor—to cultivate the two hectares of terraced vineyards at Contrada Pino, elevation 800 meters. They renovated the property’s ancient palmento, a traditional farmhouse featuring an old press and large fermentation vats made of lava stone, and began to work the 120-year-old vines, plus some olive trees and vegetable gardens, according to organic and biodynamic principles.
About The Region
Sicily
Italy’s southernmost region and the largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily has no shortage of sunshine to grow high-quality grapes on a yearly basis. It also does not lack a history of winemaking: since the Greeks settled here almost three millennia ago, the vine has played a major role in the island’s agricultural makeup. Production of cheap bulk wine for blending dominated much of its recent history until now, as we are witnessing a quality revolution that puts forth its great diversity and quality of terroirs, indigenous grape varieties, and local production methods.
While Sicily’s historical reputation is for sweet wines—Marsala and the Muscats of Pantelleria stand out—a number of dry whites and reds are enjoying the spotlight today. The cooler, high-altitude slopes of Etna, with its ashy volcanic soils, have seen an explosion of activity from producers both local and foreign; both whites (primarily from Carricante) and reds (Nerello Mascalese) here are capable of uncommon freshness and finesse. Other noteworthy wine regions are Eloro, where Nero d’Avola gives its best; Noto, an oasis of dry and sweet Moscatos; Vittoria, with its supple, perfumed Frappatos; and Salina, where Malvasia makes thirst-quenching dry whites and deliciously succulent passiti.
Countless foreign invasions over the centuries have given Sicilian architecture and cuisine a unique exotic twist, making it a fascinating destination for gourmands as well as wine importers. With a wealth of dedicated artisans proud to show off the riches of their land, you can bet there are many exciting things still to come from this incredible island.
More from Sicily or Italy
2019 Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Portelli Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Rosso “Donna Bianca”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2020 Vino Rosato “SuperLuna”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extravergine di Oliva Biologica
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2019 Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Portelli Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Rosso “Donna Bianca”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Crasà Contrada”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2020 Vino Rosato “SuperLuna”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2021 Etna Rosso “Sciare Vive”
Vigneti Vecchio Italy | Sicily
2019 Vino Rosso “I nove fratelli”
Masseria del Pino Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extravergine di Oliva Biologica
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
2019 Eloro Nero d’Avola “Sciavè”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Bianco “Marzaiolo”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2022 Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2020 Sicilia Noto Bianco “Mizzica”
Riofavara Italy | Sicily
2021 Terre Siciliane Nerello Mascalese “Lato Sud”
Grottafumata Italy | Sicily
Kermit once said...
Kermit once said...
I want you to realize once and for all: Even the winemaker does not know what aging is going to do to a new vintage; Robert Parker does not know; I do not know. We all make educated (hopefully) guesses about what the future will bring, but guesses they are. And one of the pleasures of a wine cellar is the opportunity it provides for you to witness the evolution of your various selections. Living wines have ups and downs just as people do, periods of glory and dog days, too. If wine did not remind me of real life, I would not care about it so much.
Inspiring Thirst, page 171